Question

Read the excerpts from Dr. King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and answer the question.

[9] I have travelled the length and breadth of Alabama, Mississippi and all the other southern states. On sweltering summer days and crisp autumn mornings I have looked at her beautiful churches with their spires pointing heavenward. I have beheld the impressive outlay of her massive religious education buildings. Over and over again I have found myself asking: "Who worships here? Who is their God? Where were their voices when the lips of Governor Barnett dripped with words of interposition and nullification? Where were their voices of support when tired, bruised, and weary Negro men and women decided to rise from the dark dungeons of complacency to the bright hills of creative protest?"

[10] There was a time when the Church was very powerful … In those days the Church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Wherever the early Christians entered a town the power structure got disturbed and immediately sought to convict them for being "disturbers of the peace" and "outside agitators." Things are different now. The contemporary Church is so often a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. It is so often the arch-supporter of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the Church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the Church's silent and often vocal sanction of things as they are.

In 3–5 complete sentences, thoroughly explain what effect the order of ideas in paragraphs 9 and 10 have on the meaning of the text. Why does Dr. King make his points in this order? What is the effect? Provide at least two specific examples from the text to support your answer.

Answer 1

Answer:

In this text, the main idea that King wants to convey is that churches are not fulfilling their duty of threatening unfair power structures. King begins this argument by painting an image of peace and beauty when referring to the churches of the South. This image is supported by the references to "spires pointing heavenward." King most likely begins this section in such a way in order to increase the contrast effect with the rest of the text. In the rest of the text, King accuses the church of being passive and complacent, and of not being brave enough to challenge inequalities. This increases the contrast in the text, as well as emphasizes the main idea that King wants to convey.

the effect in the ordering of the paragraphs was to show a contrast. The contrast between the churche's power now to how it was before. He uses the example that he has seen these churches before and how is it so focused on beauty and not worship. The following paragraph kind of agreeing with that idea and saying the church is powerless.

Explanation:

Answer 2

Answer:

Dr. King wants to convey is that churches are not fulfilling their duty of threatening unfair power structures. "Things are different now. The contemporary Church is so often a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. It is so often the arch-supporter of the status quo". Dr. King begins this argument by painting an image of peace and beauty when referring to the churches of the South. This image is supported by the references to "spires pointing heavenward." King most likely begins this section in such a way in order to increase the contrast effect with the rest of the text. In the rest of the text, King accuses the church of being passive and complacent, and of not being brave enough to challenge inequalities. Also, "Far from being disturbed by the presence of the Church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the Church's silent and often vocal sanction of things as they are".

Explanation: